What band is the Hizumitas pedal associated with?

The pedal was designed specifically for Wata, the guitarist of the Japanese experimental band Boris.

What type of effect is the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas?

It is a high-gain fuzz sustainer pedal that delivers heavy distortion and long-lasting notes.

How many controls does the Hizumitas have?

It features three main controls: Volume (Level), Sustain (Fuzz amount), and Tone.

What is the typical price range for this pedal in the UK?

The pedal is typically priced at approximately £169, though retail prices may vary slightly between shops.

Can the Hizumitas handle low-tuned guitars?

Yes, it is designed for genres like doom metal where low tunings are common, maintaining clarity in the low-end frequencies.

Does the pedal offer significant sustain?

Yes, it is engineered for 'unbelievable' sustain, allowing notes to hold for a very long time, which is a hallmark of Wata's playing style.

How does the Hizumitas sound compared to a standard Big Muff?

While based on a similar circuit style, the Hizumitas is voiced to replicate a specific vintage Elk Sustainer, offering a unique blend of heavy grit and high-end 'glisten'.

Is the Hizumitas suitable for psychedelic rock?

Absolutely; its ability to create expansive, harmonic-rich textures makes it ideal for psychedelic and experimental music.

Does this pedal require a special power supply?

It generally uses a standard 9V DC center-negative power supply, consistent with most EarthQuaker Devices pedals.

What should I use to clean up the noise if the fuzz is too high?

A dedicated noise gate, such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, can be used in the signal chain to manage the high gain of the Hizumitas.

Can I use the Hizumitas for lead guitar playing?

Yes, the pedal provides a smooth, singing sustain that is highly effective for melodic lead lines and solos.

Who manufactured the Hizumitas?

The pedal is manufactured by EarthQuaker Devices, a boutique effects company based in Akron, Ohio.

Gear article

EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainer

The EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainer is a boutique guitar effects pedal designed in collaboration with Wata from the Japanese experimental band Boris. It is engineered to replicate Wata's specific Elk Sustainer fuzz, delivering high-saturation distortion and extensive sustain suitable for doom and psychedelic genres.

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Background and Development

The Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainer was developed as a sonic recreation of the distortion pedal used by Wata, the guitarist of the influential experimental band Boris. Over three decades, Boris has navigated a wide variety of genres including doom, drone, and psychedelic rock. A defining characteristic of their sound is the specific texture of Wata’s fuzz, which combines high-gain destruction with a clear, harmonic glisten. EarthQuaker Devices designed this pedal to make that particular boutique vintage tone accessible to modern players.

Core Functionality

The pedal functions as a high-gain fuzz sustainer, providing a massive amount of saturation even at lower settings. It features a simple three-knob interface comprising Volume, Sustain, and Tone controls. Unlike standard fuzz units that may lose definition in lower frequencies, the Hizumitas is designed to maintain a heavy low-end presence while allowing the top-end to remain articulate, facilitating the long, feedback-prone notes characteristic of doom and stoner rock.

Sound Character

The sonic profile of the Hizumitas is described as both beautiful and destructive. It offers a thick, creamy wall of sound with immense sustain that allows notes to ring out for extended periods. The distortion character is aggressive but retains a certain 'glisten' that prevents the signal from becoming completely muddy. This balance makes it effective for both crushing power chords and melodic, soaring lead lines.

Target User and Applications

This pedal is primarily aimed at guitarists playing heavy, atmospheric genres such as doom metal, sludge, and psychedelic rock. Because of its massive sustain and harmonic richness, it is also well-suited for experimental musicians who use feedback as a creative tool. While it is a specialized tool for Wata's signature sound, its simple controls allow it to be integrated into various pedalboard setups.

Comparison to Alternatives

The Hizumitas is often compared to the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff series, specifically the 'Triangle' variants or the Big Muff with Tone Wicker, due to its sustain-heavy circuit. However, it is distinguished by its specific voicing tailored to Wata's unique vintage unit. Compared to more modern versatile units like the Behringer UC200 Ultra Chorus or the Boss DD-3T, the Hizumitas is a dedicated dirt box that focuses on a singular, high-quality fuzz texture rather than modulation or time-based effects.

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Frequently asked questions

What band is the Hizumitas pedal associated with?: The pedal was designed specifically for Wata, the guitarist of the Japanese experimental band Boris.
What type of effect is the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas?: It is a high-gain fuzz sustainer pedal that delivers heavy distortion and long-lasting notes.
How many controls does the Hizumitas have?: It features three main controls: Volume (Level), Sustain (Fuzz amount), and Tone.
What is the typical price range for this pedal in the UK?: The pedal is typically priced at approximately £169, though retail prices may vary slightly between shops.
Can the Hizumitas handle low-tuned guitars?: Yes, it is designed for genres like doom metal where low tunings are common, maintaining clarity in the low-end frequencies.
Does the pedal offer significant sustain?: Yes, it is engineered for 'unbelievable' sustain, allowing notes to hold for a very long time, which is a hallmark of Wata's playing style.
How does the Hizumitas sound compared to a standard Big Muff?: While based on a similar circuit style, the Hizumitas is voiced to replicate a specific vintage Elk Sustainer, offering a unique blend of heavy grit and high-end 'glisten'.
Is the Hizumitas suitable for psychedelic rock?: Absolutely; its ability to create expansive, harmonic-rich textures makes it ideal for psychedelic and experimental music.
Does this pedal require a special power supply?: It generally uses a standard 9V DC center-negative power supply, consistent with most EarthQuaker Devices pedals.
What should I use to clean up the noise if the fuzz is too high?: A dedicated noise gate, such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, can be used in the signal chain to manage the high gain of the Hizumitas.
Can I use the Hizumitas for lead guitar playing?: Yes, the pedal provides a smooth, singing sustain that is highly effective for melodic lead lines and solos.
Who manufactured the Hizumitas?: The pedal is manufactured by EarthQuaker Devices, a boutique effects company based in Akron, Ohio.